This Tarrant district changed the most on new Texas House map. Here’s our recommendation
Perhaps no Tarrant County legislative district was redrawn more extensively than House District 92. What once covered much of the mid-cities has shifted east and south, taking in more of Arlington.
That means what was once a swing district narrowly won by Republicans is more firmly Democratic — enough that Rep. Jeff Cason decided not to seek re-election. Voters should choose former Euless Mayor Pro Tem Salman Bhojani to replace him.
Bhojani, a 42-year-old Democratic business owner and lawyer, is more in touch with the new district’s needs. His experience in local government gives him ample connections throughout the area and an understanding of the challenges presented by growth and demographic change.
He has the potential to present and support innovative policy solutions. In our interview with the candidates, he proposed using state property tax relief to help first-time home buyers, a modest but promising idea that could ease the difficulty of finding affordable housing and helping renters bridge into home ownership.
Bhojani, who emigrated from Pakistan as a child, will be more suited to serve the district and work across party lines than Republican opponent Joe Livingston. The 65-year-old longtime Realtor, who lives in Arlington, has been active in party politics and is in tune with local needs. On many views, especially social issues, he’d match up with Cason and the seat’s previous occupant, Rep. Jonathan Stickland.
But the district has changed and needs a different type of representative. Bhojani is poised to do the job.
Early voting runs Monday through Nov. 4. Election Day is Nov. 8.
BEHIND THE STORY
MOREHey, who is behind these endorsements?
Members of the Editorial Board, which serves as the Fort Worth Star-Telegram’s institutional voice, decide candidates and positions to recommend to voters. The members of the board are: Cynthia M. Allen, columnist; Steve Coffman, editor and president; Bud Kennedy, columnist; Ryan J. Rusak, opinion editor; and Nicole Russell, opinion writer.
Members of our Community Advisory Board may also participate in candidate interviews and offer their views, but they do not vote on which candidate to recommend.
Read more by clicking the arrow in the upper right.
How does the process work?
The Editorial Board interviews candidates, asking about positions on issues, experience and qualifications, and how they would approach holding the office for which they are running. Board members do additional research on candidates’ backgrounds and the issues at hand. After that, members discuss the candidates and generally aim to arrive at a consensus, though not necessarily unanimity. All members contribute observations and ideas, so the resulting editorials represent the board’s view, not a particular writer.
How do partisanship and ideology factor in?
We’re not tied to one party or the other, and our positions on issues range across the ideological spectrum. We tend to prefer candidates who align with our previously stated positions, but qualifications, temperament and experience are important, too.
This story was originally published October 20, 2022 at 7:04 AM.